Warts are caused by the human papillomavirus virus (HPV). The Mayo Clinic says HPV causes speedy growth of cells on the outer layer (epidermis) of your skin. Common warts typically appear on your hands or fingers and can easily spread to other areas of your body, as well as to other people. Common warts are usually harmless and relatively easy to get rid of.
Medication
Step 1
Use an over-the-counter wart remover than contains 17 percent salicylic acid. Soak your wart in warm water for at least 10 minutes before using the wart remover.
Step 2
Apply the liquid solution or place a pad containing salicylic acid on your wart, according to the directions. Put the removal product only on the wart, because wart removal products can damage the skin that surrounds your wart.
Step 3
File away dead skin with an emery board before reapplying the treatment. Reapply the treatment every day, possibly for several weeks.
Duct Tape
Step 1
Cover your wart with a small piece of duct tape and leave it alone for six days. The theory behind this unorthodox method is that the duct tape aggravates the wart and signals the immune system to destroy it.
Step 2
Remove the duct tape from your skin. Soak your wart in warm water for a few minutes.
Step 3
Rub your wart with a nail file. You may have to repeat this process a few times over several weeks.
Tips and Warnings
- Common warts will generally disappear without treatment within a couple of years. However, new ones may pop in the same area.
- The American Academy of Dermatology says common warts are the only type of wart you should attempt to remove at home. Foot warts and flat warts, which both tend to grow in clusters, should be treated professionally. Consult with your doctor before use salicylic acid if you are pregnant. Contact your dermatologist if your wart does not respond to over-the-counter treatments.
Things You'll Need
- Wart remover
- Emery board
- Duct tape
- Nail file
